UK Iconic Walks Challenge – Dovedale to Milldale, Peak District

This route features as part of my UK ICONIC WALKS challenge, and now I’ve done the route, I can totally see why.

Starting at the famous Dovedale Stepping Stones, you’re met with a set of limestone slabs crossing the River Dove that have been a favourite with visitors for over a century. Although there are other stepping stones in the Peak District, these in Dovedale are by far the most popular, perhaps due to it’s easy location within a few minutes walk of the National Trust Dovedale car park and flat ground making it easily accessible for all. From the carpark we passed the striking Thorpe Cloud, standing at nearly 300m above the surrounding countryside. The stepping stones are a short walk on from Thorpe Cloud, before the route follows the winding river through Dovedale Valley, passing dramatic limestone cliffs, lush woodland, and loads of spots for the dogs to paddle and explore. With valley slopes and rock walls covered in ferns and moss it almost felt like something out of Jurassic Park, and the valley having its own microclimate was very evident and despite being a cool day it soon felt warm and humid the further you got into the valley.

Dovedale is actually a National Nature Reserve, home to some incredible wildlife like dippers, herons, and even peregrine falcons if you’re lucky. The landscape here was shaped by ancient glaciers, which left behind all those dramatic crags and caves, including lovers leap, the famous Dove Hole caves and Reynaud’s arch.

This walk was great for dogs, with plenty of water along the way to splash in and lots to sniff. The technical end of the challenge walk is in Milldale, a picturesque little postcard village that’s the perfect place to stop for a snack. However we were doing an out and back, so heading back and chucked in a sneaky summit of Thorpe Cloud to complete the out and back route.

strava Route

Komoot Route